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Cardrona Alpine Resort ski resort

Oceania

Cardrona Alpine Resort Resort Guide

28

Fair

↘declining

Last Snowfall

--

Past 24 Hours

0cm

Resort reported

Past 48 Hours

0cm

Past 10 Days

0cm

7-Day Forecast

14cm

Snow Depth

75cm

Resort reported
🎿

Powder Days

10

2026 season

☀️

Bluebird Days

1

2026 season

Updated: Oct 12, 9:01 PM•Weather at base: 1,260m

Resort Guide

Cardrona Alpine Resort is located in the Southern Alps of New Zealand, between Queenstown and Wānaka. The resort features over 400 hectares of skiable terrain, catering to all ability levels with wide-open beginner slopes, challenging advanced runs, and extensive terrain parks. Cardrona is known for its relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere, modern facilities, and reliable snow conditions, making it a popular choice for both recreational skiers and professional athletes. Key amenities include on-mountain accommodation, multiple dining options, and a comprehensive snowsports school.

Resort Info

Summit1,909m
Base1,260m
Vertical649m
Lifts5/10
Runs0/52
Skiable Area1520 acres
Average snowfall114 inches / 290 cm
CountryNew Zealand

Season dates

OpenedJune 26, 2026
Projected closingOctober 18, 2026

Future dates are operator estimates and may change.

Ski passes

Access tiers change by season — confirm benefits on the pass operator's site.

Top Après Ski

Cardrona Hotel – Renowned for its historic charm and welcoming atmosphere, this iconic bar and restaurant offers hearty après-ski fare, local craft beers, and a cozy fireside setting, making it a favorite gathering spot for skiers and snowboarders after a day on the slopes.

Season vs Historic

Updated Mon, Oct 12, 09:01 PM UTC

166cm

Season Total

This Season to Date

-18%

vs 5-Year Avg

201cm avg by now

+34%

vs 30-Year Avg

124cm avg by now

201cm

5-Yr Avg by Now

This season is at 165.8 cm to date. The last completed season totaled ~164.8 cm. That's 18% below the 5-year average (201 cm). Versus the 30-year baseline: 33% above the 30-year average (124 cm).

Cardrona Alpine Resort Season Snowfall

Loading the ledger…

Cardrona Alpine Resort Snow History

Average annual snowfall is 147cm with an average of 29 snowfall days per season. The recent decade runs 42% above this average (210cm over the last ten tracked seasons). The table below shows monthly averages across 30 seasons of archive data (modeled snowpack at mid-elevation).

Average monthly snowfall history
MonthAvg SnowfallSnowfall DaysAvg Base DepthMax Base DepthBiggest Snowfall
June23cm5 days12cm22cm9cm
July31cm6 days23cm33cm10cm
August29cm6 days24cm35cm9cm
September31cm6 days13cm28cm9cm
October25cm5 days3cm17cm9cm

Source: SnowSure archive · Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis at mid-elevation. Depth is modeled, not resort-reported.

SnowSure Score by Month

Season 2026

28.1

Season Average

109 days scored

59

Best Day

29 Aug

3

Excellent+ Days

Scored 50 or above

3

Powder Days

6cm+ fresh snow

Jun
15.85d
Jul
19.731d
Aug
24.631d
Sep
41.630d
Oct
29.912d

Highest-scoring days

June 2026

  • 1930 Jun
  • 1628 Jun
  • 1629 Jun

July 2026

  • 466 Jul4cm
  • 335 Jul9cm
  • 319 Jul

August 2026

  • 5929 Aug
  • 5527 Aug29cm
  • 4930 Aug

September 2026

  • 521 Sep
  • 4910 Sep4cm
  • 4927 Sep5cm

October 2026

  • 401 Oct
  • 372 Oct
  • 3111 Oct

September scored highest for Cardrona Alpine Resort in 2026. Based on 109 days the resort was verified open; this season is still under way, so later months are incomplete. One season of scores describes what happened, not what to expect.

Season at a Glance

Current season(2026)

Opened Jun 26, 2026

Scheduled close: Oct 18, 2026

Multi-season averages will appear once SnowSure has tracked more than one full season.

Best Months to Visit

August

Peak Season

July

Peak Season

September

Good

June

Good

Note: Based on typical ski season patterns for this region.

Frequently asked questions about Cardrona Alpine Resort

Where is Cardrona Alpine Resort?
Cardrona Alpine Resort is a ski resort in New Zealand.
How high is Cardrona Alpine Resort?
Cardrona Alpine Resort runs from a base elevation of 1,260 m (4,134 ft) to a summit of 1,909 m (6,263 ft), giving a vertical drop of 649 m (2,129 ft).
How big is Cardrona Alpine Resort?
Cardrona Alpine Resort has 1,520 acres (615 hectares) of skiable terrain, 52 marked runs and 10 lifts.
Which ski pass covers Cardrona Alpine Resort?
Cardrona Alpine Resort is on the Ikon Pass. Access terms such as blackout dates and day limits vary by pass tier, so check the pass operator for the current season.
When is ski season at Cardrona Alpine Resort?
Cardrona Alpine Resort typically operates from June to October. Exact opening and closing dates shift each year with snowfall — check the resort's current season dates before booking.
How much snow does Cardrona Alpine Resort get in a typical season?
Cardrona Alpine Resort averages 114 inches / 290 cm of snowfall in a typical season. Any individual season can run well above or below that.